B.1.21 Understand and explain that the information passed from
parents to offspring is transmitted by means of genes which are coded in DNA
molecules.

Molecules and Cells

7.4.1Explain that similarities among organisms are found in
external & internal anatomical features, including specific
characteristics at the cellular level, such as the number of chromosomes.
Understand that these similarities are used to classify organisms since they
may be used to infer the degree of relatedness among organisms.

7.4.3 Explain how, in sexual reproduction, a single specialized
cell from a female merges with a specialized cell from a male & this
fertilized egg carries genetic information from each parent & multiplies
to form the complete organism.

B1.1Recognize that and explain how the many cells in an
individual can be very different from one another, even though they are all
descended from a single cell and thus have essentially identical genetic
instructions. Understand that different parts of the genetic instructions are
used in different types of cells and are influenced by the cellÕs environment
and past history.

B.1.3 Know and describe that within the cell are specialized
parts for the transport of materials, energy capture and release, protein
building, waste disposal, information feedback, and movement. In addition to
these basic cellular functions common to all cells, understand that most
cells in multicellular organisms perform some special functions that others
do not.

B.1.4 Understand and describe that the work of the cell is
carried out by the many different types of molecules it assembles, such as
proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

B.1.8 Understand and describe that all growth and development is
a consequence of an increase in cell number, cell size, and/or cell products.
Explain that cellular differentiation results from gene expression and/or
environmental influence. Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.

Developmental and
Organismal Biology

B.1.11 Describe that through biogenesis all organisms begin
their life cycles as a single cell and that in multicellular organisms,
successive generations of embryonic cells form by cell division.

Genetics

8.4.1 Differentiate between inherited traits, such as hair color
or flower color, & acquired skills, such as manners.

8.4.2 Describe that in some organisms, such as yeast or bacteria,
all genes come from a single parent, while in those that have sexes,
typically half of the genes come from each parent.

8.4.3 Recognize/describe that new varieties of cultivated plants,
such as corn & apples, & domestic animals, such as dogs & horses,
have resulted from selective breeding for particular traits.

B.1.22 Understand and explain the genetic basis for MendelÕs
laws of segregation and independent assortment.

B.1.24 Explain that gene mutations can be caused by such things
as radiation and chemicals. Understand that when they occur in sex cells, the
mutations can be passed on to offspring; if they occur in other cells, they
can be passed on to descendant cells only.

B.1.26 Demonstrate how the genetic information in DNA molecules
provides instructions for assembling protein molecules and that this is
virtually the same mechanism for all life forms.

B.1.27 Explain that the similarity of human DNA sequences and
the resulting similarity in cell chemistry and anatomy identify human beings
as a unique species, different from all others. Likewise, understand that
every other species has its own characteristic DNA sequence.

B.1.29 Understand that and explain how the actions of genes,
patterns of inheritance, and the reproduction of cells and organisms account
for the continuity of life, and give examples of how inherited
characteristics can be observed at molecular and whole-organism levels - in
structure, chemistry, or behavior.

Evolution

B.1.30 Understand and explain that molecular evidence
substantiates the anatomical evidence for evolution and provides additional
detail about the sequence in which various lines of descent branched off from
one another.

B.1.31Describe
how natural selection provides the following mechanism for evolution: Some
variation in heritable characteristics exists within every species, and some
of these characteristics give individuals an advantage over others in
surviving and reproducing. Understand that the advantaged offspring, in turn,
are more likely than others to survive and reproduce. Also understand that
the proportion of individuals in the population that have advantageous
characteristics will increase.

B.1.35 Explain that the degree of kinship between organisms or
species can be estimated from the similarity of their DNA sequences, which
often closely matches their classification based on anatomical similarities.
Know that amino acid similarities also provide clues to this kinship.

Ecology

Historical

B.2.4 Explain that after the publication of Origin of
Species, biological evolution was
supported by the rediscovery of the genetics experiments of an Austrian monk,
Gregor Mendel, by the identification of genes and how they are sorted in
reproduction, and by the discovery that the genetic code found in DNA is the
same for almost all organisms.